As part of European Robotics Week (European Robotics Week 2025), leaders and experts from the euRobotics consortium visited the AS Metrosert Applied Research Center. The visit focused on the drone technology labs and the Estonian Chip Center.
The drone technology laboratories were visited by leading representatives of the European robotics industry and researchers from top universities, who were in Estonia for a major event organized by Robotex and Tallinn University of Technology. The delegation was introduced to the center’s capabilities by Metrosert’s head of drone technology, Rainer Kivimäe, and senior chip design engineer Mohammad Eslami.
The soon-to-be-completed drone technology center will create a unique and comprehensive development environment that combines subsystem testing, large-scale indoor laboratories, and special outdoor test areas. The center’s state-of-the-art equipment will enable drones and their components to be tested under extreme conditions, covering the entire product development cycle from electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and radar cross-section measurement to climate, corrosion, dust, and vibration resistance testing. In addition to physical testing, the focus is on developing secure communications and alternative navigation solutions that would reduce dependence on GNSS signals.
Rainer Kivimäe, head of drone technologies at Metrosert, highlighted the synergy between the electronics, defense, and drone sectors: “We are not only building laboratories for today’s companies, but also for tomorrow’s engineers. Cooperation with Robotex gives young talents an excellent opportunity to see and try out world-class technology that is otherwise only found in large-scale industry. This is the best way to inspire the new generation.”
During the visit, senior engineer Mohammad Eslami also introduced the guests to the Estonian Chip Center (KIIP) operating at Metrosert, which began operations in the first half of this year. The center was created to support companies in chip design and pilot processes, focusing on three strategic areas: hardware security, chip testing, and functional verification.
The European Robotics Week focus event took place on December 3-4 at Tallinn University of Technology in cooperation with Robotex. The event brought together public activities and institutional meetings with representatives of administrative bodies, industry, research centers, and academia. The visit to Metrosert was part of a broader exchange program aimed at establishing contacts between European robotics companies, researchers, and policymakers.
